Exchange Agreement, dated as of July 26, 2021, by and between Iconic Brands, Inc. and Richard DeCicco, as holder of the Iconic Brands, Inc.s one (1) issued and outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock
EXHIBIT 10.9
EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made as of the 26 day of July, 2021, by and between Iconic Brands, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and Richard DeCicco, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Stockholder”).
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, the Stockholder is the owner of one (1) issued and outstanding share of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”);
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in reliance on Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and/or Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, the Company desires to exchange with the Stockholder, and the Stockholder desires to exchange with the Company, the Series A Preferred Stock for twenty-five million six hundred thousand (25,600,000) shares of common stock, par value $0.001, of the Company (the “Exchange Shares”); and
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements, representations and warranties, provisions and covenants contained herein, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
1. Exchange; Waiver. On Closing Date (as defined below), subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Stockholder shall, and the Company shall, pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and/or 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, exchange the Series A Preferred Stock for the Exchange Shares. Subject to the conditions set forth herein, the exchange of the Series A Preferred Stock for the Exchange Shares shall take place remotely, within two (2) Trading Days of the date hereof, or at such other time and place as the Company and the Stockholder mutually agree (the “Closing” and such date, the “Closing Date”). At the Closing, the following transactions shall occur (such transaction an “Exchange”):
1.1 On the Closing Date, in exchange for the Series A Preferred Stock, the Company shall deliver the Exchange Shares to the Stockholder or its designee at 44 Seabro Avenue, Amityville, NY 11701. Upon receipt of the Exchange Shares in accordance with this Section 1.1, all of the Stockholder’s rights under the share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be extinguished.
1.2 On the Closing Date, the Stockholder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Exchange Shares, and the Series A Preferred Stock shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have been cancelled, irrespective of the date the Exchange Shares are delivered to the Stockholder in accordance herewith.
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As used herein, “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.
As used herein, “Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
As used herein, “Trading Day” means any day on which the Common Stock is traded on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded.
1.3 The Company and the Stockholder shall execute and/or deliver such other documents and agreements as are customary and reasonably necessary to effectuate the Exchanges, including, at the request of the Company or its transfer agent, executed stock powers in customary form.
2. Closing Conditions.
2.1 Conditions to Stockholder’s Obligations. The obligation of the Stockholder to consummate the Exchange is subject to the fulfillment, to the Stockholder’s reasonable satisfaction, prior to or at the Closing, of each of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects on the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of such date.
(b) No Actions. No action, proceeding, investigation, regulation or legislation shall have been instituted, threatened or proposed before any court, governmental agency or authority or legislative body to enjoin, restrain, prohibit or obtain substantial damages in respect of, this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(c) Proceedings and Documents. All proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and all documents and instruments incident to such transactions shall be satisfactory in substance and form to the Stockholder, and the Stockholder shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as they may reasonably request.
2.2 Conditions to the Company’s Obligations. The obligation of the Company to consummate the Exchange is subject to the fulfillment, to the Company’s reasonable satisfaction, prior to or at the Closing, of each of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Stockholder contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects on the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of such date.
(b) No Actions. No action, proceeding, investigation, regulation or legislation shall have been instituted, threatened or proposed before any court, governmental agency or authority or legislative body to enjoin, restrain, prohibit, or obtain substantial damages in respect of, this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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(c) Proceedings and Documents. All proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and all documents and instruments incident to such transactions shall be satisfactory in substance and form to the Company and the Company shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as the Company may reasonably request.
3. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Stockholder that:
3.1 Organization, Good Standing and Qualification. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Nevada. The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on its business or properties.
3.2 Authorization. All corporate action on the part of the Company, its officers, directors and stockholders necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of all obligations of the Company hereunder, and the authorization (or reservation for issuance of), the Exchange, and the issuance of the Exchange Shares, have been taken on or prior to the date hereof.
3.3 Valid Issuance of the Shares. The Exchange Shares, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, for the consideration expressed herein, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
3.4 Compliance With Laws. The Company has not violated any law or any governmental regulation or requirement which violation has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on its business and the Company has not received written notice of any such violation.
3.5 Consents; Waivers. No consent, waiver, approval or authority of any nature, or other formal action, by any Person, not already obtained, is required in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company or the consummation by the Company of the transactions provided for herein and therein.
3.6 Absence of Litigation. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company, the securities or any of the Company’s officers or directors in their capacities as such.
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3.7 Validity; Enforcement; No Conflicts. This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of the Company and shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation and other similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (i) result in a violation of the organizational documents of the Company or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities or “blue sky” laws) applicable to the Company, except in the case of clause (ii) above, for such conflicts, defaults or rights which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder.
3.8 Bring-Down of Representations and Warranties. All legal and factual representations and warranties made by the Company to the Stockholder in any prior agreements pursuant to which the Series A Preferred Stock was originally issued are accurate and complete in all material respects as of the date hereof, unless as of a specific date therein in which case they shall be accurate as of such date (or, to the extent representations or warranties are qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect (as defined in such agreements), in all respects).
3.9 No Brokers or Finders. No Person has or will have, as a result of any act or omission of the Stockholder, any right, interest or valid claim against or upon the Company for any commission, fee or other compensation as a finder or broker, or in any similar capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4. Representations and Warranties of the Stockholder. The Stockholder hereby represents, warrants and covenants that:
4.1 Authorization. The Stockholder has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and has taken all action necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of its obligations hereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
4.2 Investment Experience. The Stockholder can bear the economic risk of its investment in the Exchange Shares, and has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Exchange Shares.
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4.3 Information. The Stockholder and its advisors, if any, have been furnished with all materials relating to the business, finances and operations of the Company and materials relating to the offer and issuance of the Exchange Shares which have been requested by the Stockholder. The Stockholder has had the opportunity to review the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Stockholder and its advisors, if any, have been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the Company. Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations conducted by the Stockholder or its advisors, if any, or its representatives shall modify, amend or affect the Stockholder’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained herein. The Stockholder understands that its investment in the Exchange Shares involves a high degree of risk. The Stockholder has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to its acquisition of the Exchange Shares. The Stockholder is relying solely on its own accounting, legal and tax advisors, and not on any statements of the Company or any of its agents or representatives, for such accounting, legal and tax advice with respect to its acquisition of the Exchange Shares and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4.4 No Governmental Review. The Stockholder understands that no United States federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Exchange Shares or the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Exchange Shares nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Exchange Shares.
4.5 Validity; Enforcement; No Conflicts. This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of the Stockholder and shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Stockholder enforceable against the Stockholder in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation and other similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies. The execution, delivery and performance by the Stockholder of this Agreement and the consummation by the Stockholder of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (i) result in a violation of the organizational documents of the Stockholder or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Stockholder is a party, or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities or “blue sky” laws) applicable to the Stockholder, except in the case of clause (ii) above, for such conflicts, defaults or rights which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Stockholder to perform its obligations hereunder.
4.6 Bring-Down of Representations and Warranties. All legal and factual representations and warranties made by the Stockholder to the Company in any prior agreements pursuant to which the Series A Preferred Stock was originally issued are accurate and complete in all material respects as of the date hereof, unless as of a specific date therein in which case they shall be accurate as of such date (or, to the extent representations or warranties are qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect (as defined in such agreements), in all respects).
5. Additional Covenants.
5.1 Disclosure. The Company shall, on or before 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the first business day after the date of this Agreement, issue a Current Report on Form 8-K (the “8-K Filing”) disclosing all material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby.
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6. Miscellaneous.
6.1 Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise provided herein, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and the respective successors and assigns of the parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party, other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.
6.2 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Jury Trial. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state or federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
6.3 Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
6.4 Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (i) upon personal delivery to the Party to be notified; (ii) when sent by confirmed electronic mail or facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not so confirmed, then on the next business day; (iii) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or (iv) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt.
6.5 Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and the Stockholder. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this paragraph shall be binding upon the Stockholder and the Company, provided that no such amendment shall be binding on a holder that does not consent thereto to the extent such amendment treats such party differently than any party that does consent thereto.
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6.6 Severability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement and the balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
6.7 Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the parties concerning the Exchange and the other matters described herein and therein and supersede and replaces any and all prior agreements and understandings solely with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
6.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
6.9 Interpretation. Unless the context of this Agreement clearly requires otherwise, (a) references to the plural include the singular, the singular the plural, the part the whole, (b) references to any gender include all genders, (c) “including” has the inclusive meaning frequently identified with the phrase “but not limited to” and (d) references to “hereunder” or “herein” relate to this Agreement.
6.10 No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.
6.11 Survival. The representations, warranties and covenants of the Company and the Stockholder contained herein shall survive the Closing and delivery of the Exchange Shares.
6.12 Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as any other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
6.13 No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.
[SIGNATURES ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first provided above.
ICONIC BRANDS, INC. |
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| By: | /s/ Richard DeCicco |
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| Name: | Richard DeCicco |
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| Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
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STOCKHOLDER |
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| By: | /s/ Richard DeCicco | |
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| Richard DeCicco |
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[Signature Page to Exchange Agreement]
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